NHL Notes: Brown wants Kings to stay together

NHL Notes: Brown wants Kings to stay together

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- After two straight playoff runs extending well into June, Dustin Brown believes the Los Angeles Kings only get the full benefit of all that experience if they stay together.

Two days after the Kings' title defense ended in the Western Conference finals in Chicago, Brown echoed his teammates' desire Monday to keep the Kings' core largely intact this fall. The captain echoed the thoughts of general manager Dean Lombardi, who said he'll endeavor to keep nearly every significant contributor to the team coming off the most successful two-year stretch in franchise history.

When they return in September, the Kings likely will make more changes than they did before this season, when everybody who touched the ice during their Stanley Cup title run returned. Brown just hopes the changes only enhance a team that has earned the right to keep working toward another title.

"We've been in a lot of tough situations," Brown said at the Kings' training complex. "Experience is one thing, but experiencing it all together is much more valuable. It's different when you've gone through not only what we went through last year, but the three, four previous years. What you want to build on is that group of guys that stick together, because at the end of the day, that's all you have to lean on when times get tough," (see full story).

The 43-year-old Roloson played 14 NHL seasons with six teams, making an All-Star team in 2004 and appearing in 50 playoff games, including the 2006 Stanley Cup finals with the Edmonton Oilers. He last suited up with Tampa Bay for the 2011-12 season.

Roloson joined the Anaheim organization in February as a consultant for their AHL team in Norfolk.

The Ducks have one of the NHL's top goaltending tandems with former All-Star Jonas Hiller and newcomer Viktor Fasth.

Stanley Cup: Special teams could be crucialCHICAGO -- When it comes to power plays in the Stanley Cup finals, the Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins might just prefer to keep going with everyone on the ice.

The last two teams in the NHL playoffs have been lousy with the man advantage and terrific at killing penalties during the postseason.

When the Blackhawks are forced to play a man down, Michael Frolik and Marcus Kruger are so persistent it almost resembles an even-strength situation. And the Bruins have hulking defenseman Zdeno Chara and goalie Tuukka Rask, who is swallowing everything at the net these days.

Heading into Game 1 on Wednesday night, goals on special teams have been so scarce for these teams that a couple for either side could tip the series in one direction.

"The special teams are kind of key, if you want to (have) success," Frolik said after Chicago held an optional practice on Monday. "We try to talk about it all the time about that and make sure we're on the same page. It's especially going to be key right now. We've got to make we are ready for the challenge," (see full story).

NHL Notes: Oilers sign star Leon Draisaitl to mega 8-year contract

NHL Notes: Oilers sign star Leon Draisaitl to mega 8-year contract

EDMONTON, Alberta -- The Edmonton Oilers have signed center Leon Draisaitl to an eight-year contract extension with an average annual value of $8.5 million.

The extension runs through the 2024-25 season, similar to the eight-year, $100-million extension superstar captain Connor McDavid signed with the team in July.

With the signings, the Oilers are banking on McDavid and Draisaitl providing a potent one-two punch for the team as it looks to build on last season's return to the playoffs after a decade of futility.

Draisaitl, a 21-year-old German, had 77 points (29 goals, 48 assists) last season, his third in the NHL.

He finished eighth among NHL scorers, and second on the Oilers behind McDavid.

He led the Oilers in scoring during the 2017 playoffs, posting 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) in 13 games.

Draisaitl was selected third overall by the Oilers at the 2015 draft (see full story).

Avalanche: Hobey Baker winner Butcher now free agentCollege hockey's top player is an NHL free agent after former University of Denver defenseman Will Butcher allowed a deadline to pass without signing with the Colorado Avalanche.

The Avalanche selected Butcher in the fifth round of the 2013 draft and had until Tuesday to sign the Hobey Baker Award winner who led Denver to a national championship in April.

A person with direct knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Butcher already has had discussions with the Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils and NHL-expansion Vegas Golden Knights. The person said Butcher has not yet narrowed his list, and is also talking with other teams.

The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the talks are private.

The Denver Post first reported the three specific teams expressing interest in Butcher (see full story).

Wild: Cullen comes home for 21st NHL seasonThe Minnesota Wild and center Matt Cullen have agreed to a one-year, $1 million contract, bringing him back to his home state for a 21st season in the NHL.

The Wild announced the deal, which includes $700,000 in potential performance bonuses, on Wednesday.

Cullen played the last two years with Pittsburgh, winning consecutive Stanley Cups with the Penguins. He played three seasons for the Wild from 2010-13, his first return to Minnesota since launching his career at Moorhead High School and St. Cloud State.

Cullen, who will turn 41 on Nov. 2, had 13 goals and 18 assists in 72 games in 2016-17 for the Penguins, plus two goals and seven assists in 25 playoff games. He has played in 1,366 career regular season games, the sixth-most among active players (see full story).